There Should Not Be Zoos Essay Sample

An issue that is hotly debated is whether zoos benefit the survival of animals. However, it is clear that animals are better off without zoos, because many zoos are unable to care for the animals, the animals become dependent on facilities, and even the best zoos can cause the animals to suffer from severe health issues.

One reason that animals are better off without zoos is because many zoos are unable to care for the animals. A recent study from Nationalgeographic.com, states “About 50 animals at Venezuela’s Caricuao Zoo have starved in the last six months due to the rising cost of food, caused by the nation’s economic downturn. Some went without food for two weeks” (Zachos 1). This shows that many zoos are unable to provide for the animals needs. Nationalgeographic.com also states “Caricuao Zoo staffers have been feeding carnivorous lions and tigers diets of mango and pumpkin” (Zachos 1).  A healthy diet for carnivorous lions and tigers consists of exclusively eating meat, fish, eggs, and small amounts of low-lactose dairy d. In order for a healthy diet we must eliminate any plant based foods. It is dangerous for lions and tigers because their bodies cannot digest plant products properly. 

Another reason that animals are better off without zoos is because the animals become dependent on facilities. According to news.mongabay.com “The study, which reviewed 45 case studies involving 17 carnivore species, found that only 30 percent of captive animals released survived.” (Butler 1) This is a great example of how dependent animals can get if not prepared. Zoo lions eat mostly beef, sometimes including beef bones. Which can be detrimental to the lions hunting skills. Zoos often have a feeding schedule, many animals wake up from naps or disrupt what they were doing to get ready for feeding time. In the wild, when they are not fed they wait for their food to come to them. Other types of flesh are also fed, for example, horse meat, but this is much less common.

The last reason that animals are better off without zoos is because even the best zoos can make the animals suffer from severe health issues. Many examples of this are shown throughout the world. However,  one extreme example of this is shown in a recent study that says, “According to National Geographic, Zoochosis is a neurological disorder that plagues nearly 80 percent of zoo animals, and is characterized by symptoms of anxiety and depression in zoo animals.”(1) This shows that the existence of zoos is only beneficial to humans and furthermore harms the animals.

In conclusion, animals are better off without zoos, because many zoos are unable to care for the animals, the animals become dependent on facilities, and even the best zoos can cause the animals to suffer from severe health issues.